Expansible cuff link



May 5, 1931. 1 E, ALM 1,803,988

EXPANS IBLE CUFF LINK Filed Dec. 16, 1930 763 8 a/b i A2 A2 INVENTOR.

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A T TORNE Y5.

Patented May 5 193i JOSEPH E. ALM, 01? SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA EXPANSIBLE CUFF LINK Application filed December 16, 1930. Serial No. 502,699.

This invention relates to cuff links and especially to a spring actuated expansible cuff link.

WVhere conventional cuff links are attached 5 to the cuffs of a shirt it is necessary to release the links and spread the ends apart before it is possible to pull the sleeves upwardly on the arms a sufiicient distance to prevent soiling or spotting of the cuffs, for

19 instance, when washing the hands or while temporarily engaging in work that is liable to dirty the cuffs. Expansible cuff iinks have been employed which permit the cuffs to be pulled upwardly on the arms a slight distance but such links have not gained much popularity as the amount of expansion permitted is not suficient.

The object of the present invention is to generally improve and simplify the construc- 29 tion and operation of cuff links; to provide a cuii link in which the buttons or heads are connected by an expansible connection; to provide an expansible connection employing two spring actuated expanding links whereby the amount of expansion may be doubled; to provide an expansible connection eniploying a compact and rigid housing in which the springs are completely enclosed and guided throughout their length; and further to provide links which are guided with relation to each other and at the opposite ends of the housing to insure further rigidity and strength.

The expansible cuff link is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawing in which- Fig. 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section through a pair of cuif buttons showing the expansible link connecting the same;

Fig. 2 is a cross section taken on line 2-2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the cuff links;

Fig. i is an enlarged perspective view of the housing in which the links are slidably mounted;

Fig. 5 is a cross section of the housing.

Referring to the drawing in detail and particularly Fig. 1, A. and B indicate a pair J of cuff buttons which in this instance are connected by means of a pair of links generally indicated at 2 and 3. The links are slidably mounted within a housing generally indicated at C and springs 4. and 5 are interposed between the links and the opposite ends of the housing for purposes hereinafter to be described. 2

The housing proper is best illustrated in Figs. 1 and l. It consists of a housing C the opposite ends of which are closed by end sections 6 and 7, each end section is cut away as shown at 8 and 9, the portions 8 forming guides for the links 2 and 3 and the rounded portions 9 forming openings through which the heads of the links may be inserted. By referring to Fig. 5 it will be noted that guide portions 8a are formed on the inner face of the housing and at opposite sides thereof.

The links proper are best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, the links consisting of flat strips of material, as shown at 2, the outer ends of which are perforated at 10. These ends project' through the end plates and are connected with the buttons A and B through rings 11. The opposite ends of the links are provided with rounded head members 12 and the springs 4t and 5 are interposed between these heads and the end plates 6 and 7. The links 2 and 3 are identical in construction-but they are reversed with relation to each other and are inserted from opposite ends of the housing. The portions 2 and 3 of the links engage each other and as such support and guide each other throughout their length. They are also guided by the housing guides 8a and by the end plates secured at opposite ends of the housing and they are further guided by the head members 12 as they snugly fit the inner rounded surfaces 12aof the housing;

The links are thus rigidly supported and 90 guided throughout their length first by contacting each other substantially throughout their length and secondly by being guided and supported by the end plates of the housing and by the guides 8a.

The springs 4t and 5 employed are helically wound springs and their diameter is such that they snugly fit the inner rounded surfaces of the housing and the adjacent faces of the links. The springs are thus also enclosed and guided throughout their length and any twisting, disalignment or unseating of the springs is prevented.

By employing two links reciprocally mounted with relation to each other, as shown at 2 and 3 in Fig. 1, and two cooperating springs as shown at e and 5, double or maximum expansion is obtained, that'is, any outward pull exerted on the buttons 2 and 3 causes outward movement of the links and compression of the springs and as each link moves an equal distance the total expansion obtained will be double the movement of a single link. The maximum expanded position assumed by the buttons A and B being indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1.

here cull buttons are connected by an expanding cooperating pair of links, as here illustrated, andapplied to the cuffs of a shirt, if it is desired to pull the cuffs upwardly on the arms, for instance, when washing the hands, it is only necessary to grasp the sleeves about the cuffs and exert an upward pull. Such a pull causes the cuffs to slide upwardly on the arms and while they do so the links expand thus retaining the ends in snug frictional engagement with the arms and retaining them in this position until the hands have been washed or other work has been accomplished, when they may be pushed downwardly to their normal position. Due to the comparatively large amount of expanding movement obtainable it is unnecessary to release the cuff buttons and open the cuffs when it is desired to elevate them on the arms to a point where they are not liable to be soiled.

V hile certain features of the present invention are more or less specifically described, I wish it understood that various changes may be resorted to within the scope or the appended claims. Similarly, that the materials and finish of the several parts employed may be such as the manufacturer may decide, or varying conditions or uses may demand.

I claim: 7

1. In a device of the character described, a pair ofcufi buttons, a housing intermediate the buttons, a pair of links insertible in the housing from opposite ends thereof, said links contacting and being guided by each other substantially throughout their length, a head member on each link and at one side, an end plate on each end of the housing, said plates having openings form-ed thereon to permit entrance of the headmembers and toform guides for the links, means connecting the links with thebuttons andaspringinterposed between each link head and the housing end plates, said-springs being guided throughout their-length by the adjacent links and the housing.

2. In a device of the character'described, a housing, a pair of links disposed centrally of the housing, said links being rectangular in cross section and contacting each other,

substantially throughout their length, a cuffbutton attached to each link, a right angular extension on each link, and a pair of springs interposed between the right angular extensions and the housing and resisting outward movement of the links.

3. In a device of the character described, a housing, a pair of links insertable in the housing from opposite ends thereof, a pair of cultbuttons connected with the links, said links contacting and being guided by each other substantially throughout their length, a groove formed in each side of the housing and guiding the links, a head member on each link and forming a further guide for each link, and a pair of springs interposed between the head members and the housing and resisting outward movement of the links;

JOSEPH E. ALM. 

